McCaw backs Whitelock as All Blacks' interim captain
- 2145
Two-Time Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is backing his former All Blacks and Crusaders teammate Sam Whitelock to fill the skipper duties for the opening Tests of the 2021 season.
Sam Cane is currently sidelined and recovering from surgery on a torn pectoral tendon, meaning that he will miss the opening test of 2021 against Tong on July 3.
McCaw, who captained the All Blacks in 110 Tests, told Stuff.co.nz that he believes Sam Whitelock should be the man to fill the vacancy until Cane returns.
“I don’t want to be saying too much, and there’s obviously a few candidates, but there’s no doubt ... Sam Whitelock, who has done it before, has done a good job over the years,” McCaw said.
“There’s other guys as well, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he's the man to do the job.”
"I would have loved to have had the opportunity but at the same time, I know so much goes into it," Whitelock said at the time.
"I know you don't need the captain's armband to help people out and make a difference and Sam is going to need all the help and support he can get from everyone that's in the All Blacks environment and I'm keen to help him out where I can.
"And there's definitely some upsides to me worrying about myself playing well first and then helping him out if he needs it."
McCaw said another reason supporting Whitelock’s case, at least for the short term, was the respect he had from those around him.
“I think he just leads by example and people want to follow him. He fronts up every week,” McCaw said.
